*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Auguste Rodin faces eight rivals at the Curragh in his bid to become a dual Derby winner.
The Deep Impact colt bounced back from a flop in the 2000 Guineas to land the big one at Epsom and is joined in the Irish Derby by stablemates Adelaide River, Covent Garden, Peking Opera and San Antonio as Ballydoyle master Aidan O’Brien seeks a 100th Classic victory in Europe.
White Birch and Sprewell, the only horses in the field not trained by a member of the O’Brien family, appear to be the main dangers to Auguste Rodin in Sunday’s 15:40 after finishing third and fourth at Epsom respectively.
The latest Irish Derby odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Irish Derby tips
Timeform: AUGUSTE RODIN produced a high-class performance to run down subsequent King Edward VII winner King of Steel in the Epsom Derby and can become the first horse since Harzand in 2016 to complete the Derby double. Sprewell and White Birch both weren’t seen to best effect behind the selection at Epsom and they have solid claims of making the frame again.
Irish Derby runners
Adelaide River
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Seamie Heffernan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3
Winning debut on AW last summer and placed 4 times at Group level since. Ran as well as could have been expected when 10¾ lengths eighth of 14 to Auguste Rodin in Derby at Epsom (12f, good to firm, 33/1) 29 days ago. Up against it again.
*
Auguste Rodin
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1
Unlucky on debut and made no mistake in 3 subsequent outings at 2 yrs, running out the comfortable winner of Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (1m, heavy) in October. Ran no sort of race when favourite for 2000 Guineas but back with a bang when comfortably winning the Derby at Epsom. Hard to beat.
*****
Covent Garden
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Declan McDonogh Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Useful colt. Blinkered for 1st time, very good length third of 6 to Peking Opera in listed race (9/2) at Navan (13f, soft) 50 days ago. Plenty to find on form. Potential pacemaker.
*
Peking Opera
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 9
Off the mark at the second attempt, then upped his form again to make a successful return in listed race at Navan. Not seen to best effect in Queen’s Vase (6/1) at Royal Ascot (14.2f, good) 11 days ago but this is a huge ask.
*
Proud And Regal
Trainer: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien Jockey: G. M. Ryan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
Group 1 winner over 1m at 2 yrs in France (Criterium International at Saint-Cloud). Respectable 5½ lengths third of 8 to Sprewell in Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown (10f, heavy, 6/4) on return but only sixth in Irish 2000 Guineas here since. Step up in trip should at least suit.
**
San Antonio
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: W. M. Lordan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Continued his race-by-race progression when winning the Dee Stakes at Chester, making most. However, well held in Derby at Epsom since, albeit looking ill at ease on the track.
*
Sprewell
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Shane Foley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5
Confirmed 2-y-o promise when making a winning return in novice at Naas. Progressed again when following up in Derby Trial at Leopardstown before good 7 lengths fourth to Auguste Rodin in Derby at Epsom, hampered at crucial stage. Remains capable of better.
****
Up And Under
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: M. P. Sheehy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Still a maiden but was only ½ length behind White Birch in Group 3 at Leopardstown and pulled clear of rest when 3 lengths second of 8 to Sprewell in Derby Trial Stakes there since. Not taken lightly.
***
White Birch
Trainer: John Joseph Murphy Jockey: D. B. McMonagle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8
Confirmed debut promise to win maiden at Dundalk and took another big step forward when following up in Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on return. Ran on strongly when close second in Dante at York before good 5¼ lengths third to Auguste Rodin in Derby (12/1) at Epsom, poorly placed. Respected.
***
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